Antiendomysium antibodies assay in the culture medium of intestinal mucosa: an accurate method for celiac disease diagnosis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of antiendomysium (EmA) assay in the culture medium of intestinal biopsies for celiac disease (CD) diagnosis, particularly in "seronegative" patients.
Results Summary
EmA assay in the culture medium showed higher sensitivity (98%) and specificity (99%) than serum EmA/anti-tTG assays. Four patients with negative serum tests but positive culture medium EmAs later developed villous atrophy and improved on a gluten-free diet.
Population
418 patients with CD and 705 non-CD controls.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EmA assay in the culture medium | increase | sensitivity | patients with CD and non-CD controls | 98% vs. 80% | had a higher sensitivity | #1 |
EmA assay in the culture medium | increase | specificity | patients with CD and non-CD controls | 99% vs. 95% | had a higher specificity | #2 |
serum EmA and/or anti-tTG assay | decrease | diagnostic accuracy | 32 adults and 39 children with CD | - | tested as false-negatives | #3 |
gluten-free diet | decrease | symptoms | four patients with negative-serum EmA/anti-tTG, normal villi architecture, and positive-EmAs in the culture medium | - | resolution of the symptoms | #4 |
gluten-free diet | increase | intestinal histology | four patients with negative-serum EmA/anti-tTG, normal villi architecture, and positive-EmAs in the culture medium | - | complete intestinal histology recovery | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) diagnosis is becoming more difficult as patients with no intestinal histology lesions may also be suffering from CD. AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of antiendomysium (EmA) assay in the culture medium of intestinal biopsies for CD diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical charts of 418 patients with CD and 705 non-CD controls who had all undergone EmA assay in the culture medium were reviewed. RESULTS: EmA assay in the culture medium had a higher sensitivity (98 vs. 80%) and specificity (99 vs. 95%) than serum EmA/antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) assay. All patients with CD who were tested as false-negatives for serum EmA and/or anti-tTG (32 adults and 39 children) carried the human leukocyte antigen alleles associated to CD. Furthermore, during the follow-up, four patients with negative-serum EmA/anti-tTG, normal villi architecture, and positive-EmAs in the culture medium, developed villous atrophy and underwent gluten-free diet with consequent resolution of the symptoms and complete intestinal histology recovery. CONCLUSION: EmA assay in the culture medium should be included in the diagnostic criteria for CD diagnosis in 'seronegative' patients.